CVE-2017-11551 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A denial of service vulnerability (OOM) in the libid3tag 0.15.1b library can be exploited by remote attackers through a manipulated MP3 file.

Understanding CVE-2017-11551

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in the libid3tag library that allows for a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2017-11551?

The vulnerability exists in the id3_field_parse function within the libid3tag 0.15.1b library, enabling remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by using a crafted MP3 file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11551

The vulnerability poses a risk of remote attackers causing a denial of service (OOM) on systems that utilize the affected library.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11551

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The id3_field_parse function in field.c within libid3tag 0.15.1b allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (OOM) by exploiting a specially crafted MP3 file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Version: 0.15.1b

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating an MP3 file to trigger the id3_field_parse function within the libid3tag library.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-11551, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious MP3 files.
Consider restricting access to systems that utilize the vulnerable library.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patched versions.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the libid3tag library to fix the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.